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Has Your Mask Cracked?



Take a look at the image above. Thought it was just a random image for some interesting visuals, huh?


It’s not.


While I admit, it is quite aesthetically pleasing, there is a darker significance behind it. Take a closer look at it. Do you see what I see?


Behind a porcelain mask, is an Asian girl, with a unique culture, a unique identity. And yet this is covered up by a white mask, to cover up her culture and identity. She is forced to hide behind something that doesn’t represent her, unable to embrace her true self.


It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Underneath its beauty, this picture describes the struggle of minorities, trying to embrace their true cultural identity while living in a population that is mostly white. By trying to fit into society, they shun their own culture while attempting to adopt a more “American” culture.



If you’re a detail-oriented person, you might have noticed the cracks in the white mask. What does that mean? Pictures are subjective, with many different interpretations. Therefore my interpretation isn’t necessarily the “right” interpretation. Think about it, what do the cracks mean to you?


Here’s my take on this: I think the cracks indicate that her true identity isn’t this mask. Because it doesn't completely represent her, it has flaws in it and breaks because no matter how hard she tries, she will never truly accept this identity. Because this isn’t her.


Now, why is this so important? When many think of the word “Americans” the image of a white person pops up. But the truth is that America is filled with a great diversity of culture. We have Mexicans, Indians, Asians, and more that are born and raised in America. So does this not make them American as well?


The notion that being American means being white causes people with different cultures to mold themselves into the ideal “American” version. They believe that they need to shed their true cultural identity, and this makes them feel lost between two worlds - they can’t be one or the other. And this is really unfortunate because with America’s many cultures, it is a unique country filled with diversity.


It’s time to realize that “American” does not translate to "white". An American is one who is white, Asian, Indian, Mexican, African American, and so much more. Only when we understand this do we bring significance to the commonly heard phrase, “America is the land of freedom.” Here, in America, each and every person has the freedom to embrace their true cultural identity. Every person has the freedom to celebrate their culture. Every person has the freedom to show their unique self.


 

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